Photo By Staff Sgt. James Harris | U.S. Air Force Senior Airman Clara Torres, 628th Communications Squadron cyber...... read more read more
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Have you ever accomplished a task and then wondered what was the point of your success?
Senior Airman Clara Torres, a 628th Communications Squadron cyber technician, always views her own success as an opportunity to help others accomplish their goals.
“I strive for excellence, not because of an accomplishment, but because it's the right thing to do,” Torres said. “It's what feels best in my heart.”
Torres values leaders who demonstrate a calm demeanor, create healthy expectations and prioritize setting Airmen up for positive outcomes, qualities she sees in her current leadership.
Master Sgt. Ashley McDowell, 628th CS flight chief and Staff Sgt. Sonia De La Mora, 628th CS noncommissioned officer in charge of readiness management, have both been mentors to Torres and helped her grow by training her in communication security programs and effective communication.
Due to her mentorship, Torres passes these skills on to the younger Airmen around her.
“I don't believe in the idea that everything's a ladder and you have to step on someone to get above,” Torres said. “People can climb to success while working together.”
To Torres, this concept extends beyond the Air Force. She believes people should always push one another toward success.
“She doesn’t wait for a supervisor to tell her to teach Airmen their jobs,” De La Mora said. “That's just the kind of Airman she is.”
Recently, Torres stepped into a leadership role, acting as the assistant project manager for a retirement ceremony. Torres led the logistics team and ensured the event went smoothly. Torres was also recently voted Booster Club president by her peers, which speaks to her sphere of influence.
“That's remarkable because they could have chosen a staff sergeant or a technical sergeant to be the assistant, but they chose her,” De La Mora said.“I think that really speaks a lot about the kind of drive that she has.”
Torres plans to pursue a commission and continue seeking opportunities to lead. For her, leadership is a way to show her children what matters because it places an individual at the forefront of solving complex, real-world problems. By navigating constant technological change and guiding teams through high-stakes challenges, Torres models resilience and continuous learning in action.
“I have little ones, and I want be an example to them,” Torres said. “When my children see me commit to excellence in a demanding field, they learn that success is built on steady commitment and a passion for quality.” She has only been in the Air Force for two years, but her impact on the squadron is evident. For Torres, accomplishment comes from knowing she gave her best each day, striving for excellence and being a positive leader for the Airmen she leads.
“I love seeing people succeed,” she said. “There's room in this world for everyone to work hard and succeed on some level.”
| Date Taken: | 08.31.2026 |
| Date Posted: | 09.03.2026 11:32 |
| Story ID: | 573898 |
| Location: | CHARLESTON, SOUTH CAROLINA, US |
| Web Views: | 20 |
| Downloads: | 0 |
This work, Cyber Airman strives for success, by SSgt James Harris, identified by DVIDS, must comply with the restrictions shown on https://www.dvidshub.net/about/copyright.
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